Death is the ultimate truth.

In a century from now, almost every single reader of this piece will be six feet under, our bodies would have become part of the soil. During that time, our fate with respect to heaven or hell would have been made known to us.

Meanwhile above the soil, our houses that were left behind would have become homes for others, our clothes would be extinct or would become garments for others, and as for us, we will be - for the most part - never thought about by anyone again. How often do you think about your great grandfather? How often does your great grandmother cross your mind?

Our presence here on earth, the presence that we make so much noise about and shed so many tears for, was preceded by countless generations before us and shall be followed by countless generations after us. Every generation that passes through this world barely finds the time to take a glance at this world before needing to bid it farewell and handing over the baton, having not fulfilled even a fraction of one's ambitions. Our lives are, in reality, far shorter than we imagine.

In a century, every one of us will realize from within the grave just how worthless this world actually was, and how trivial those dreams were that centered on it.

In a century, every one of us will be wishing that we had dedicated our lives to the great matters, the matters of Islam, and had devoted ourselves to collecting good deeds, particularly those that continue to benefit us after our death.

In a century, many of us reading this piece will be screaming out, but in vain:

رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ * لَعَلِّي أَعْمَلُ صَالِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ

“My Lord return me! So that I may do good in that which I have left behind ..”

The response to this request, however, shall be harsh:

كَلَّا إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَائِلُهَا وَمِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ بَرْزَخٌ إِلَى يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ

“No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is now a barrier until the Day they are resurrected."

In a century, many of us will be biting our hands in regret, saying:

يَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي قَدَّمْتُ لِحَيَاتِي
“I wish that I had prepared for my life.”

The angel of death will not wait until you and I become righteous.

Let us become righteous, then wait for the angel of death.